J. Nannoplankton Res. 33 (1), 2014, pp1-12 © 2013, 2014 International Nannoplankton Association

New Late Oligocene to Miocene Species
Rui O B P da Gama

Shell International Exploration and Production Inc, USA, Rui.Da-Gama@shell.com

Osman Varol

Varol Research_USA, 5212 Sagesquare Street, Houston, TX77056, USA, osman@varol.com
Manuscript Received March 2012; Manuscript Accepted April 2013.

Abstract Twelve new calcareous nannofossil species ranging from Miocene to Late Oligocene in age are

herein described and allow for enhanced stratigraphic subdivisions of sediments: They are Calcidiscus gallagheri,Calcidiscus salomonii, Coronocyclus lordii, Coronocyclus baileyi, Cruciplacolithus kanungoi, Helicosphaera princei, Helicosphaera leesiae, Helicosphaera bownii, Helicosphaera watkinsii, Hughesius youngii, Scyphosphaera
hamptonii, Syracosphaera? oneillii. In addition, a new subspecies (Coronocyclus nitescens latus) and new combination (Calcidiscus tanianus) are introduced. A range chart showing the distribution of these taxa is presented (Fig. 2).

Keywords Nannofossils, New Species, Miocene, Late Oligocene
1. Introduction
During routine examination of Miocene to Late Oligocene sediments for calcareous nannofossil content, twelve
new calcareous nannofossil species, a new subspecies anda new combination were identified. The sediments are distributed over a wide geographical area. Sample material
from a variety of different sources, comprising Miocene
to Late Oligocene sediments, were utilized in this study.
Eighty-five core samples were provided by the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Kochi Core Centre(KCC) in Japan and include: thirty five core samples from
Deep Sea Drilling program (DSDP) Leg 25, Site 242 located in the western Indian Ocean, in the Mozambique
Channel along the Davis Ridge, 15°50.65' S, 41°49.23'
E. and fifty core samples from DSDP Leg 24, Site 231 located near the southern shore of the Gulf of Aden, 80 kmfrom Somalia, at 11°53.41’ N, 48°14.71’ E . Twenty-five
field samples of the Blue Marl Formation from the Ghajn
Tuffieha Bay, Malta were supplied by Prof. Tom Barnard

Fig. 1 MAP with Locations - outcrops and boreholes (see attachment)(formerly with University College London). Sixty-three
ditch cuttings samples from the Well A in Adana Basin,
Turkey and thirteen field samples from Hatay were studied. Eight core samples from Quaternary sediments ofAnglesey, North Wales were also analysed.
Additional data gathered from routine analyses conducted on proprietary samples from offshore Angola,
Brazil, Libya, Mauritania, Nigeria and Vietnam provided
verification of species concepts and confirmed species
ranges.
2. Material and methods
Samples analysed for calcareous nannofossil content
were processed using a simple smear slide technique andstudied using standard light microscopy techniques. The
photographs were taken using a Leica DMEP and Zeiss
Axiophot microscope at x1000 magnification with a JVC
analogue camera (Varol Research) and Olympus DP71
digital camera (Shell). All the fossil pictures were taken

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R O B P da Gama, Osman Varol

Fig. 2 A range chart showing the distribution of these taxa is presented

New Late Oligocene to Miocene Species

using polarized and phase contrast light, and a gypsum
plate. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs were taken at UCL using Cambridge Instrument’s
S4 SEM. The slides and samples are available throughVarol Research_USA, UCL (UK) and Shell USA. Taxonomic descriptions and stratigraphic ranges (Fig. 2) of
new species and combinations are herein discussed andcalibrated against the standard stratigraphic markers ofMartini (1971). In some cases, identification of these new
species allow for enhanced stratigraphic subdivision.
3. Taxonomy
We present taxonomic descriptions and discussions establishing twelve new species (Calcidiscus gallagheri, Calcidiscus salomonii, Coronocyclus lordii, Coronocyclus
baileyi, Cruciplacolithus kanungoi, Helicosphaera princei, Helicosphaera leesiae, Helicosphaera bownii, Helicosphaera watkinsii, Hughesius youngii, Scyphosphaera
hamptonii and Syracosphaera? oneillii). In addition, a
new subspecies (Coronocyclus nitescens latus) and a new
combination (Calcidiscus tanianus) are introduced. Unless otherwise stated all the measurements were obtained
under phase contrast. The terminology used in this study
follows that of Young et al (1997) and Theodoridis (1984).
Calcidiscus Kamptner, 1950
Type species: Calcidiscus quadriperforatus
Kamptner, 1950
Calcidiscus gallagheri da Gama andVarol, n. sp.
Plate 2, figures 3-8
Derivation of name: In honour of Dr. Liam Gallagher,
nannofossil specialist and good friend, Network Stratigraphic Consulting Ltd, Potters Bar, UK .
Diagnosis: Elliptical species of Calcidiscus with large
central area covered by a finely porous plate.
Description: This elliptical Calcidiscus has a relatively
large central area covered by a finely porous plate. The
distal shield and porous plate are non-birefringent whereas the proximal shield is smaller and weakly birefringent
under polarised light. No tube cycle was noted. In somespecimens, the central porous plate displays a longitudinal suture. However, this suture might be the result ofpoor preservation. Remarks: This species looks similar
to Calcidiscus premacintyrei but differs from it by having a finely porous plate in the central area. Moreover, C.
premacintyrei is restricted to upper Zone NN4 to Zone
NN7 in the Miocene whilst C. gallagheri is restricted toZone NP25 in the Oligocene.
Dimensions of holotype:
Length: 11.6µm, Width: 10.0µm
Length of central area: 4.0µm
Width of central area: 2.4µm
Holotype: Plate 2, figures 3-4 (same specimen)
Paratype: Plate 2, figures 5-6 (same specimen)
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/9-4, 130cm
Type Level: Zone NP25, upper Oligocene
Occurrence: This species is only found in Zone NP25,
Late Oligocene of DSDP, Leg 242/9-4, 130cm.

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Calcidiscus salomonii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 2, figures 13-20
Derivation of name: In honour of the late Ralph Salomon, nannofossil specialist and very good friend.
Diagnosis: Small, strictly circular Calcidiscus whose diameter of the central opening is always greater than thewidth of the shields.
Description: This small species (3-6µm) has a non-birefringent distal shield, a tube cycle and a birefringent
monocyclic proximal shield. The diameter of the central
area is always greater than the width of the shield.
Remarks: Calcidiscus salomonii is distinguished from
Calcidiscus tanianus by being much smaller and having
a central opening always greater than the width of theshields. In C. tanianus, the central opening is smaller
than the width of the shield. Calcidiscus tropicus (Syn.
Calcidiscus macintyrei) is similar to C. tanianus but larger (>10µm). C. salomonii differs from Calcidiscus leptoporus by having a central opening, the latter has a closed
central area. Some specimens, under polarised light, canartificially resemble Reticulofenestra rotaria, however C.
salomonii is non-birefringent, whereas in R. rotaria the
distal shield is birefringent. In addition, the Calcidiscus
type structure is readily observed under phase contrast in
C. salomonii.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum diameter: 5.6µm
Diameter of the central area: 1.6µm
Diameter of the central area in polarised light: 3.6µm
Width of the proximal shield: 1.6µm
Holotype: Plate 2, figures 13-15 (same specimen)
Paratype: Plate 2, figures 19-20 (same specimen)
Type Locality: Field Sample 458, Hatay, Southern Turkey
Type Level: Zone NN6, Middle Miocene
Occurrence: C. salomonii is recorded from middle-upper
Miocene sediments (Zone NN6 to NN11). It is reported insamples from Turkey, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden,
Nigeria, Angola and offshore Vietnam.
Calcidiscus tanianus(Kamptner) da Gama and Varol, n. comb.
Plate 2, Figure 12
Basionym: Cyclococcolithus tanianus Kamptner 1955,
p.31, pl6, figs. 83a-b
Remarks: A circular species of Calcidiscus with a wide
central opening. It is distinguished from C. tropicus (Syn.
Calcidiscus macintyrei) by being smaller than 10µm.
Occurrence: C. tanianus is recorded from Early Miocene
to Pleistocene sediments (Zone NN2 to NN20). It is reported in samples from Turkey, the Indian Ocean, the Gulfof Aden, Nigeria, Angola and offshore Vietnam.
Coronocyclus Hay, Mohler and Wade, 1966 emend.
da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Type species: Coronocyclus nitescens
Hay, Mohler and Wade, 1966

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New Late Oligocene to Miocene Species

Emended diagnosis: This genus is here amended to include sub-circular and elliptical placoliths with a wide
central opening and shields made up of dextrally imbricated lath-like elements with short spine-like projections.
Coronocyclus lordii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 3, figures 17-19
Derivation of name: In honour of Prof. Alan Lord, goodfriend and mentor, Senckenberg Musuem, Frankfurt, Germany.
Diagnosis: A giant Coronocyclus having very large central opening and narrow shields.
Description: This comparatively large species has birefringent monocyclic distal and proximal shields of equal
size and a large central opening. The elements of the distal shield have short spine-like peripheral projections. The
shields are smooth but highly birefringent under polarised
light.
Remarks: Coronocyclus lordii is easily distinguishable
from other species of Coronocyclus by its large size andby having smooth shields under polarised light. Other
species of Coronocyclus typically appear to be strongly
serrated. C. lordii is easily distinguished from broken
pieces of calcispheres (dinoflagellate) by having distinct
shields. The naturally broken section of a calcisphere (dinoflagellate) show plate like structure and always exhibits
many elements in the central area.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum diameter: 20.0µm
Diameter of the central area: 14.0µm
Holotype: Plate 3, figure 18
Paratype: Plate 3, figure 17
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/8-1, 86-87cm
Type Level: Zone NN4, lower Miocene
Occurrence: This species is restricted to Zone NN4 andwas identified only from lower Miocene sediments of
DSDP, Leg 242 in the Indian Ocean.
Coronocyclus nitescens latus
da Gama and Varol, n. subsp.
Plate 3, figures 9-12, Plate 4, Figure 1
Derivation of name: From the Latin latus, meaning wide
– a reference to its wide shields.
Diagnosis: A subspecies of Coronocyclus nitescens having shields widths greater than 2µm wide.
Remarks: This circular subspecies is distinguished fromC. nitescens nitescens by having a shield width of greaterthan 2µm. The separation of C. nitescens latus from C. nitescens nitescens is biostratigraphically useful. The highest occurrence of C. nitescens latus is within Zone NN4,
between the highest abundances of Discoaster deflandrei
and Helicosphaera truncata and the lowest occurrence ofDiscoaster petaliformis.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum diameter: 11.6µm
Shield width: 2.5µm
Diameter of central area: 6.6µm
Holotype: Plate 3, figures 14-15 (same specimen)

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Paratype: Plate 3, figures 11-12 (same specimen)
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/8-1, 86-87cm
Type Level: Zone NN4, Middle Miocene
Occurrence: C. nitescens latus is present in sedimentsfrom Zone NN4 of Turkey and Zones NN2 to NN4 of
offshore Mauritania, Angola, Libya, Brazil, Vietnam andthe Indian Ocean (DSDP, Leg 242).
Coronocyclus baileyi da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 3, figures 13-15, Plate 4, Figures 3-4
Derivation of name: In honour of Dr. Haydon Bailey,
micropaleontologist and good friend at Network Stratigraphic Consulting Ltd, Potters Bar, UK.
Diagnosis: Elliptical species of Coronocyclus.
Description: This elliptical form has a proximal and distal shield of equal size and a large central opening. The
dextrally imbricated lath-like elements of the distal shield
have short spine-like projections in well-preserved specimens (more distinct under SEM, see Pl4, Fig.3-4). The
proximal shield and tube cycle are also made up of dextrally imbricated wedge-shaped elements. In some specimens, spine-like distal projections are also present on theelements of the tube cycle but it is difficult to determine
whether they are primary features or the result of digenetic alteration. Under polarised light the shields and tube
cycle appear strongly serrated.
Remarks: C. baileyi is distinguished from other speciesof Coronocyclus by being elliptical in shape.
Dimensions of holotype:
Length: 5.2µm
With: 4.0µm
Holotype: Plate 3, figures 14-15 (same specimen)
Paratype: Plate 3, figure 13
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/6-22, 71-72cm
Type Level: Zone NN9, Late Miocene
Occurrence: This species is present in Zones NN4
through NN10 in sediments of Southern Turkey (Adana
and Antalya Basins) and offshore Vietnam. C. baileyi wasrecorded from Zones NN4-NN5 in sediments from Egypt(Northern Sinai and offshore Nile Delta), Indonesia (EastJava Sea), Malta and offshore Angola. It was observed
from Zones NN8 and NN10 in the Gulf of Aden (DSDP
Leg 24, Site 231).
Cruciplacolithus Hay and Mohler in Hay et. al., 1967
Type species: Heliorthus tenuis Stradner, 1961
Cruciplacolithus kanungoi da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 2, figures 1-2
Derivation of name: In honour of Dr. Sudeep Kanungo,
nannofossil specialist and good friend, University of
Utah, USA.
Diagnosis: A small species of Cruciplacolithus with anaxial cross aligned with, or slightly offset from the major
and minor axes of the placolith.
Description: This small placolith has an axial crosswhich may be aligned with the major and minor axes ofthe placolith. The cross is only slightly birefringent un-

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New Late Oligocene to Miocene Species

der polarised light. Four variations of this species areobserved. Specimens with the axial cross aligned withthe major axes of the placolith may be both bifurcated orplain, and specimens with alignment slightly off the major
and minor axes can be both bifurcated or plain. The small
size and weak birefringence of the species preclude theconsistent identification of these variations.
Description: The Oligocene to Eocene species Bramletteius serraculoides is distinguished from the Middle
Miocene restricted species C. kanungoi by having a distal
process. The axial cross is non-birefringent and lack ofany bifurcation in Bramletteius serraculoides.
Dimensions of holotype:
Length: 6.0µm
With: 4.8µm
Holotype: Plate 2, figures 1
Paratype: Plate 2, figure 2
Type Level: Zone NN9, Late Miocene
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/6-22, cc
Occurrence: This species is present in Zones NN7
through NN9 in sediments from the Philippines, Vietnam,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, West
Africa, Brazil and Trinidad.
Helicosphaera Kamptner, 1954
Type species: Coccosphaera carteri Wallich, 1877
Helicosphaera bownii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 9-10, Plate 4, Figures 5-6
Derivation of name: In honour of Prof. Paul R. Bown,
nannofossil specialist and good friend and mentor, UCL,
UK.
Diagnosis: Species of Helicosphaera with Helicosphaera
carteri type blanket (fully covers distal surface of species= blanket type III of Theodoridis, 1984), moderate flange
and two large holes separated by a conjunct bar.
Description: This species has a H. carteri type blanket
that fully covers the distal surface of the species andtherefore appears uniformly birefringent under polarised
light. The size of the wing is variable. The central area
has two large holes separated by a conjunct bar alignedwith the short axis of species.
Remarks: H. bownii is distinguished from Helicosphaera
carteri by having a distinct conjunct bar and larger holes.
Moreover, H. bownii is restricted to Middle Miocene
whilst H. carteri occurs from Early Miocene to Recent
sediments. It differs from Helicosphaera wallichii byhaving two large pores separated by a conjunct bar parallel to the short axis of helicolith. In the latter species thebar and holes are oblique. Helicosphaera burkei has noholes or bar in the central area.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum Length: 11.6µm
Maximum With: 7.2µm
Holotype: Plate 1, figure 10
Paratype: Plate 1, figure 9
Type Locality: Turkey, Hatay, Sample 458
Type Level: Zone NN6, Middle Miocene
Occurrence: H. bownii is restricted to Zones NN7 to

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NN4 upper, Middle Miocene in Turkey, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indian Ocean, West Africa, Brazil andGulf of Mexico.
Helicosphaera leesiae da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 13-15
Derivation of name: In honour of Dr. Jackie A. Lees,nannofossil specialist and good friend, UCL, UK.
Diagnosis: Species of Helicosphaera with Helicosphaera
carteri type blanket (fully covers distal surface of species= blanket type III of Theodoridis, 1984), a moderately
sized wing and a disjunct bar (acute angle with less than
10 degrees inclination) parallel to the short axis of the helicolith.
Description: H. leesiae has an H. carteri type blanket andtherefore appears uniformly birefringent under polarised
light. The central opening is spanned by a disjunct bar
parallel to the short axis of helicolith. It has a moderate
sized wing.
Remarks: H. leesiae is similar to Helicosphaera intermedia but differs from it by having a disjunct bar alignedwith the short axis of the helicolith whilst the latter has
an oblique disjunct bar. It is distinguished from Helicosphaera bramlettei by having H. carteri type blanket
whereas H. bramlettei has Helicosphaera recta type blanket (asymmetrical blanket confined the central area= blanket type II of Theodoridis, 1984) and a truncated wing(see holotype in Muller, 1970 and the Pl15, Figures 2-7 in
Theodoridis,1984).
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum Length: 10.0µm
Maximum With: 6.8µm
Holotype: Plate 1, figures 14-15 (same specimen)
Paratype: Plate 1, figure 13
Type Locality: DSDP 242/9-4 130cm
Type Level: Zone NP25, Late Oligocene
Occurrence: H. leesiae is recorded from Upper Oligocene to Lower Miocene (NP24-NN2) sediments of Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indian Ocean, Turkey, West
Africa, Brazil and Gulf of Mexico.
Helicosphaera princei da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 17-19
Derivation of name: In honour of Dr. Iain Prince, palynologist, Shell international E & P Inc., Houston, USA.
Diagnosis: Species of Helicosphaera with H. carteri typeblanket (fully covers distal surface of species = blanket
type III of Theodoridis, 1984), moderate wing and a long
longitudinal slit in the central area.
Description: Helicosphaera princei is a relatively large
helicolith having an Helicosphaera carteri type blanket.
It has a moderate wing and a long longitudinal slit in thecentral area. The species is uniformly birefringent underpolarised light.
Remarks: H. princei is distinguished from H. carteri,
Helicosphaera wallichii and H. burkei by having a long
longitudinal slit. The central opening in Helicosphaera
neogranulata is irregular and much wider. H. princei is8

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New Late Oligocene to Miocene Species

distinguished from Helicosphaera hyalina by having along longitudinal slit in the central area whilst H. hyalina
has a closed central area.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum Length: 10.0µm
Maximum With: 5.6µm
Holotype: Plate 1, figures 18
Paratype: Plate 1, figures 19
Type Locality: Anglesey, SOS B3614 13cm
Type Level: Zone NN21, Quaternary
Occurrence: H. princei ranges from the Upper Miocene
to the Quaternary (NN11-NN21). It is found in Quaternary core samples from Anglesey, North Wales, Late
Miocene cores of DSDP Leg 25 Site 242, Late Miocene
to Pleistocene core of DSDP Leg 24 Site 231 and Pleistocene sediments of Trinidad and Brazil.
Helicosphaera watkinsii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 1-6
Derivation of name: In honour of Prof. David Watkins,
nannofossil specialist, Nebraska, USA
Diagnosis: Species of Helicosphaera with Helicosphaera
mullerae type blanket (symmetrical blanket confined tothe central area = blanket type I of Theodoridis, 1984),
truncated wing and a conjunct bar parallel or slightly
oblique to short axis of the helicolith.
Description: Helicosphaera watkinsii has a symmetrical blanket confined the central area and therefore only
the central area is birefringent. The wing is truncated.
The central area is spanned by a conjunct bar parallel orslightly oblique to the short axis of the helicolith. The bar
has a split in it that is parallel to the long axis, as in Helicosphaera mediterraenea and Helicosphaera crouchii.
Remarks: H. watkinsii is similar to the informal H. recta
group but differs by having a symmetrical blanket whilst
the H. recta group has an asymmetrical blanket. Moreover, H. watkinsii has a split in the bar which is lacking in
the H. recta group.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum Length: 10.0µm
Maximum With: 7.2µm
Holotype: Plate 1, figures 1-3
Paratype: Plate 1, figures 5-6Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/8-5, 70-71cm
Type Level: Zone NN2, Early Miocene
Occurrence: Helicosphaera watkinsii is recorded from
NN2 sediments of Leg 25 Site 242. It is very rare in similarly aged sediments in West Africa and Brazil.
Hughesius Varol, 1989
Type species: Hughesius gizoensis Varol, 1989
Hughesius youngii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 2, figures 9-11
Derivation of name: In honour of Dr. Jeremy R. Young,
Nannofossil specialist and good friend, UCL, UK.
Diagnosis: Species of Hughesius with two elongatedelements in the central area.

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Description: This elliptical placolith has elongated twoplates in the central area. When the species is aligned
45° to the polarizers, the elements of the shield becomebirefringent where the long axis of the plates touches theshield. In this respect it artificially resembles Cryptococcolithus biparteoperculata.
Remarks: Hughesius youngii is distinguished fromHughesius gizoensis by having strongly elongated central
elements. The central plate is also made up of two pieces
but rounded in H. gizoensis. The primary distinguishing characteristic is the birefringence of shield elements
where apex of plates touches the shield.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum Length: 4.0µm
Maximum With: 2.4µm
Holotype: Plate 2, figures 9
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/8-5, 70-71cm
Type Level: Zone NN2, Early Miocene
Occurrence: H. youngii is recorded NN2-NN4, in Lower
Miocene sediments of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Gulf of Aden, West Africa, Brazil, Trinidad
and Gulf of Mexico.
Scyphosphaera Lohmann, 1902
Type species: Scyphosphaera apsteinii Lohmann, 1902
Scyphosphaera hamptonii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 3, figures 1-8
Derivation of name: In honour of Matthew Hampton,nannofossil specialist and good friend, Network Stratigraphic Consulting Ltd, Potters Bar, UK.
Diagnosis: A lophadolith in which the wall extends froma circular proximal base at an angle outwards a short distance and then vertically upwards.
Description: This small species of Scyphosphaera has acircular and flat proximal base with a short but distinct
outward jutting edge. A cylindrical wall extends from theedge and terminates without any outer flaring or inward
curvature. The outer surface of the wall is heavily ornamented. The minimum diameter of the species lies at theproximal base.
Remarks: Scyphosphaera hamptonii is distinguishedfrom Scyphosphaera cylindrica by having a circular
proximal base whereas the latter has an elliptical proximal base. Moreover, the outer surface of this new species is more heavily ornamented and it is much smaller
than S. cylindrica. The proximal base of Scyphosphaera
globulata is also circular but the overall shape is globularwhereas the overall shape of S. hamptonii is cylindrical.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum Length: 10.0µm
Maximum With: 6.8µm
Holotype: Plate 3, figures 2
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 231/34-3, 42-47cm
Type Level: Zone NN11, Late Miocene
Occurrence: S. hamptonii was recovered from NN11 sediments and is Late Miocene in age. It was recorded fromthe Gulf of Aden, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, West Africa, North Africa, Brazil and Trinidad.

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New Late Oligocene to Miocene Species

Syracosphaera Lohmann, 1902
Type species: Syracosphaera pulchra Lohmann, 1902
Syracosphaera? oneillii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 7-8, 11-12, 16, 20
Derivation of name: In honour of the late Dr. Brian J.
O'Neill, colleague, Shell international E&P, Houston,
Texas, USA
Diagnosis: Small elliptical coccolith consisting of a nonbirefringent outer cycle and birefringent inner cycle.
Description: This elliptical coccolith is made up of two
cycles of elements. The outer cycle is non-birefringent
whilst the inner cycle is birefringent. No structure wasobserved in the central area. Examination under SEM isnecessary to understand the true structure of this small
species.
Remarks: An influx of this small species was recorded
between NN7 and lower NN10 in all studied locations.
Dimensions of holotype:
Maximum diameter: 4.4µm
Maximum diameter of central area: 3.6µm
Holotype: Plate 1, figures 11-12 (same specimen)
Type Locality: DSDP, Leg 242/6-22, 70-71cm
Type Level: Zone NN9, Late Miocene
Occurrence: This species is restricted to Zones NN7NN10 where it is in great abundance. Syracosphaera?
oneillii is observed in sediments from the Philippines,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Gulf of Aden, West Africa, Brazil and Trinidad.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the IODP Kochi Core Centre(KCC) in Japan for supplying the core samples, and Iain
Prince and Alicia Khan for general advice. We remain
grateful to Prof. Dr. Tom Barnard for supplying outcrop
samples from Malta. Thank you to the anonymous reviewers of this paper.
List of species
Bramletteius serraculoides Gartner, 1969
Calcidiscus Kamptner, 1950
Calcidiscus gallagheri da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Calcidiscus leptoporus Murray and Blackman, 1898;
Loeblich and Tappan, 1978
Calcidiscus macintyrei Bukry and Bramlette, 1969;
Loeblich and Tappan, 1978
Calcidiscus premacintyrei Theodoridis, 1984
Calcidiscus quadriperforatus Kamptner, 1950
Calcidiscus salomonii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Calcidiscus tanianus Kamptner, 1954;
da Gama and Varol, n. comb.
Calcidiscus tropicus Kamptner, 1954
Coccosphaera carteri Wallich, 1877
Coronocyclus Hay, Mohler and Wade, 1966; emend.
da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Coronocyclus baileyi da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Coronocyclus lordii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Coronocyclus nitescens nitescens
Hay, Mohler and Wade, 1966

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Cruciplacolithus Hay and Mohler in Hay et. al., 1967
Cruciplacolithus kanungoi da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Cryptococcolithus biparteoperculata Varol, 1991
Cyclococcolithus tanianus Kamptner, 1955
Discoaster deflandrei Bramlette & Riedel, 1954
Discoaster petaliformis Moshkovitz and Ehrlich, 1980
Helicosphaera Kamptner, 1954
Helicosphaera bownii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Helicosphaera bramlettei Miiller, 1970
Helicosphaera burkei Black, 1971
Helicosphaera carteri (Wallich 1877) Kamptner, 1954
Helicosphaera crouchii. Bukry, 1981
Helicosphaera leesiae da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Helicosphaera mediterraenea Muller, 1981
Helicosphaera princei da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Helicosphaera recta (Haq, 1966) Jafar & Martini, 1975
Helicosphaera truncata Bramlette and Wilcoxon, 1967
Helicosphaera wallichii (Lohmann, 1902)
Okada & McIntrye, 1977
Helicosphaera watkinsii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Heliorthus tenuis Stradner, 1961
Hughesius gizoensis Varol, 1989
Hughesius Varol, 1989
Hughesius youngii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Reticulofenestra rotaria Theodoridis, 1984
Scyphosphaera Lohmann, 1902
Scyphosphaera apsteinii Lohmann, 1902
Scyphosphaera cylindrica Kamptner, 1955
Scyphosphaera globulata Bukry and Percival, 1971
Scyphosphaera hamptonii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
Syracosphaera Lohmann, 1902
Syracosphaera pulchra Lohmann, 1902
Syracosphaera? oneillii da Gama and Varol, n. sp.
References
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ONLINE PUBLICATIONThis article first appeared online in June 2013 and this is
the date of effective publication of new taxa.